If Thorin could have lived, do you think he would have regretted his greed? What do you think Tolkien is trying to teach us about material wealth by Thorin's death? In your response, site textual evidence to support your response. Use page numbers too.
I think that Thorin would have regretted his greed if he had survived the battle. Thorin said, "I would take back my words and deeds at the gate" (page 290). I interpreted this as him saying that he regrets being so greedy and for cursing at Bilbo because Bilbo took the Arkenstone, which Thorin would have to buy back with the money they had just recovered. He had wished that he hadn't said those mean things to Bilbo and that he had forgiven him instead of being obsessed with the gold.
I think that the main message the Tolkien is trying to get us to understand about material wealth through Thorin's death is that money is not of importance in life. He does not mean that you don't need money, he is saying that you should not become obsessed with it. For example, on page 290 Thorin says that he is going somewhere where gold and silver is worth nothing. This place is the kingdom of God. To God gold and money don't matter. Thorin wanted to apologize to Bilbo for being so greedy and obsessed with his gold that he lost sight of what was truly important. He asked Bilbo to become his friend again, so that he could finally pass on with a feeling of peace. Also, Thorin died because he wanted to defend his gold. We should never let money take over and ruin our lives like Thorin did, and in the end it cost him his life. It also cost Fili and Kili their lives because they would not leave their friend and leader alone. I feel that this tells us that becoming too greedy can also hurt our friends and loved ones. Right before he died, Thorin said, "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." (page 290) This phrase says that the world would be a better, happier place instead of a corrupted world. I think that Tolkien has a incorporated a very good message about why we should not be obsessed with material wealth. ~ Great response, and perfect textual evidence. ~Mrs. Best
March 23, 2011
Thomas D reading-8 Recall a time when something happened to cause you to grow and change in a positive way.
Something that happened to me that caused me to grow in a positive way was learning how to play clarinet. I started learning when I joined band in fourth grade. When I started learning I couldn't even play most of the notes that the clarinet was capable of. In a way this is like Bilbo's experience. When he started with the dwarves as their burglar, he really couldn't do anything useful for the dwarves. It wasn't until after he had been with the dwarves for quite some time that he learned how to be of use and to do things that would prove greatly helpful. Now, I can play every note on the clarinet with only an occasional difficulty. What really helped me to play better was taking extra lessons at The White House of Music. Bilbo also practiced his skill on several different occasions, such as when he tried to pickpocket the trolls, to get better. In learning to play, I had several terrific experiences. Every year the band has two concerts, one is part of our school's Christmas concert, and the other is a spring concert that we have at the other campus. I always have a great time at both, and practicing for them helps me to become a better musician. Even now, I am still learning new skills and becoming a better clarinet player, just as Bilbo is learning new things at every turn in the book. I think that an adventure is how we react to something that happens. I could have easily been just as good a clarinet player as I am now without having an adventure. Instead though, I reacted to learning the clarinet as a fun experience and I challenged myself with it. By doing this I have made it an adventure and something that I enjoy doing. Although my challenge is no where near as hard or as exciting as Bilbo's, we have both learned new skills and gotten better at doing a new thing. Learning to play clarinet has affected me positively in several ways. The main way is being able to appreciate music more. I am now able to distinguish different patterns and beats that I could not before. Also, I am able to understand how difficult music is and realize the true skill of the artist for being able to achieve such incredible feats. One other way that playing the clarinet effected me is that I now have a liking for classical music or music with just instruments. I like it because I learned that music can almost sound better if you just sit back and listen to the different patterns and instruments that are woven together to make masterpieces such as Mozart and Bach. I am truly happy for my deeper understanding and appreciation of music that I received from learning to play clarinet. ~ Great connection to your life! I always wanted to play the clarinet too! ~ Mrs. Best
March 2, 2011 Choose one conflict in The Hobbit, and explain how Tolkien uses it to move the story forward. Don't forget to cite page number when appropriate.
One character against character conflict in The Hobbit that Tolkien uses to move the story forward is Bilbo getting captured by the goblins and encountering Gollum in the cave (pages 72-90). In this conflict, Gollum is in a riddle contest with Bilbo. If Bilbo wins, Gollum has to show him a way out of the cave, and if Gollum wins, he gets to eat Bilbo. Gollum decides to kill Bilbo even after he lost, but he can't find his precious ring, which makes the wearer invisible. He suspects that Bilbo took it, so he chases him. Bilbo puts the ring on and Gollum runs right by him, accidentally leading Bilbo the the exit, at which point Bilbo is able to run away and escape. This moves the story forward because the conflict ends with Bilbo finding a way to the other side of the mountains, which continues the plot of the story. Also, it introduces Gollum, who I think will reappear later on in the story. One other important event that happens is that Bilbo learns what the ring does and how to use it. ~Excellent response. ~Mrs. Best
Wow Thomas I liked this confilct very much, especially the part when Bilbo is stuck with Gollum asking and answering riddles. My favorite thing about this conflict was that Bilbo seemed incredibly smart answering those riddles. I wouldn't have come up with such riddles either. Another part I especially loved was when Gollum was so frustrated he couldn't find the ring and Bilbo had it! As Gollum was chasing Bilbo he accidentally lead Bilbo to the way out, and that to me means that Gollum wasn't the brightest and Bilbo was very cunning and sneeky to follow Gollum and finally leave the cave. I totally agree with choosing this conflict because of the details and suspense. Great Job Thomas!
~Nice response. ~Mrs. Best
Anthony Greco
Lizzy Schauer March 4, 2011 Reading - 5 I choose the same character to character conflict. I thought this was a good example to move the story forward because if Bilbo was to not wander around, to become part of the riddle contest, win, find the way out, and have the magic ring on, he wouldn't even have a chance to find his friends. I found this conflict nerve-racking and action-packed. I like the way you worded it. It was not wordy, nor to short. I don't think Gollum will reappear in the story because he does not have the magic ring, and there are many guards at the secret door and entrance door, but I do agree that it was important that Bilbo learns what the ring does and how to use it.
Thomas DeGurie March 5, 2011 Reading-8
In your own words, describe what happens next to Bilbo and the dwarves in the forest.
While the group is wandering through the forest, they stumble into a large open area amongst the trees. Shortly after arriving there, they hear wolves howling in the distance. At first they just think the wolves are howling at the moon, but then a large group of them begin to gather. The group quickly realizes that they are in trouble. The only thing they could do was to climb into the trees, but Bilbo was too small. One ofthe dwarves climbs down to help him up. The dwarf is able to get Bilbo up into the tree and scramble ~ I LOVE scramble!back into it himself just as one of the wolves lunges at them and misses by inches. Once they are in the trees, the wolves leave guards at each tree and the leader wolf begins talking to the others. Gandalf is able to understand him, and he hears him talking about a great attack that the wolves and the goblins are going to make on the humans who live in the forest. Gandalf decides to fight back so he takes a couple of pine cones off of the branches on his trees, sets them on fire with his magic, and begins to hurl them at the wolves. This was a very effective idea because the wolves fur was highly flammable and wolves are dreadfully LOVE THIS! afraid of fire. Before the group can escape though, an army of goblins enters the open area and gets the wolves under control again. Seeing the wolves on fire, they come up with a wicked scheme. They light a fire around the trees that the group is in. They make sure to control the fire so that it only spread inwards and not out towards them. While all of this is happening, the Lord of the Eagles is watching everything. Just as the fire reaches the trees in which the group is staying, a large number of eagles swoop down and save the dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf from the fire and carry them off to their liar lair out of the forest. I love your response. You have so much VOICE! Excellent job summarizing! ~ Mrs. Best
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March 30, 2011
Thomas D. Reading-8
If Thorin could have lived, do you think he would have regretted his greed? What do you think Tolkien is trying to teach us about material wealth by Thorin's death? In your response, site textual evidence to support your response. Use page numbers too.
I think that Thorin would have regretted his greed if he had survived the battle. Thorin said, "I would take back my words and deeds at the gate" (page 290). I interpreted this as him saying that he regrets being so greedy and for cursing at Bilbo because Bilbo took the Arkenstone, which Thorin would have to buy back with the money they had just recovered. He had wished that he hadn't said those mean things to Bilbo and that he had forgiven him instead of being obsessed with the gold.
I think that the main message the Tolkien is trying to get us to understand about material wealth through Thorin's death is that money is not of importance in life. He does not mean that you don't need money, he is saying that you should not become obsessed with it. For example, on page 290 Thorin says that he is going somewhere where gold and silver is worth nothing. This place is the kingdom of God. To God gold and money don't matter. Thorin wanted to apologize to Bilbo for being so greedy and obsessed with his gold that he lost sight of what was truly important. He asked Bilbo to become his friend again, so that he could finally pass on with a feeling of peace. Also, Thorin died because he wanted to defend his gold. We should never let money take over and ruin our lives like Thorin did, and in the end it cost him his life. It also cost Fili and Kili their lives because they would not leave their friend and leader alone. I feel that this tells us that becoming too greedy can also hurt our friends and loved ones. Right before he died, Thorin said, "If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." (page 290) This phrase says that the world would be a better, happier place instead of a corrupted world. I think that Tolkien has a incorporated a very good message about why we should not be obsessed with material wealth. ~ Great response, and perfect textual evidence. ~Mrs. Best
March 23, 2011
Thomas D reading-8
Recall a time when something happened to cause you to grow and change in a positive way.
Something that happened to me that caused me to grow in a positive way was learning how to play clarinet. I started learning when I joined band in fourth grade. When I started learning I couldn't even play most of the notes that the clarinet was capable of. In a way this is like Bilbo's experience. When he started with the dwarves as their burglar, he really couldn't do anything useful for the dwarves. It wasn't until after he had been with the dwarves for quite some time that he learned how to be of use and to do things that would prove greatly helpful. Now, I can play every note on the clarinet with only an occasional difficulty. What really helped me to play better was taking extra lessons at The White House of Music. Bilbo also practiced his skill on several different occasions, such as when he tried to pickpocket the trolls, to get better. In learning to play, I had several terrific experiences. Every year the band has two concerts, one is part of our school's Christmas concert, and the other is a spring concert that we have at the other campus. I always have a great time at both, and practicing for them helps me to become a better musician. Even now, I am still learning new skills and becoming a better clarinet player, just as Bilbo is learning new things at every turn in the book. I think that an adventure is how we react to something that happens. I could have easily been just as good a clarinet player as I am now without having an adventure. Instead though, I reacted to learning the clarinet as a fun experience and I challenged myself with it. By doing this I have made it an adventure and something that I enjoy doing. Although my challenge is no where near as hard or as exciting as Bilbo's, we have both learned new skills and gotten better at doing a new thing.
Learning to play clarinet has affected me positively in several ways. The main way is being able to appreciate music more. I am now able to distinguish different patterns and beats that I could not before. Also, I am able to understand how difficult music is and realize the true skill of the artist for being able to achieve such incredible feats. One other way that playing the clarinet effected me is that I now have a liking for classical music or music with just instruments. I like it because I learned that music can almost sound better if you just sit back and listen to the different patterns and instruments that are woven together to make masterpieces such as Mozart and Bach. I am truly happy for my deeper understanding and appreciation of music that I received from learning to play clarinet. ~ Great connection to your life! I always wanted to play the clarinet too! ~ Mrs. Best
March 2, 2011
Choose one conflict in The Hobbit, and explain how Tolkien uses it to move the story forward. Don't forget to cite page number when appropriate.
One character against character conflict in The Hobbit that Tolkien uses to move the story forward is Bilbo getting captured by the goblins and encountering Gollum in the cave (pages 72-90). In this conflict, Gollum is in a riddle contest with Bilbo. If Bilbo wins, Gollum has to show him a way out of the cave, and if Gollum wins, he gets to eat Bilbo. Gollum decides to kill Bilbo even after he lost, but he can't find his precious ring, which makes the wearer invisible. He suspects that Bilbo took it, so he chases him. Bilbo puts the ring on and Gollum runs right by him, accidentally leading Bilbo the the exit, at which point Bilbo is able to run away and escape. This moves the story forward because the conflict ends with Bilbo finding a way to the other side of the mountains, which continues the plot of the story. Also, it introduces Gollum, who I think will reappear later on in the story. One other important event that happens is that Bilbo learns what the ring does and how to use it. ~Excellent response. ~Mrs. Best
Wow Thomas I liked this confilct very much, especially the part when Bilbo is stuck with Gollum asking and answering riddles. My favorite thing about this conflict was that Bilbo seemed incredibly smart answering those riddles. I wouldn't have come up with such riddles either. Another part I especially loved was when Gollum was so frustrated he couldn't find the ring and Bilbo had it! As Gollum was chasing Bilbo he accidentally lead Bilbo to the way out, and that to me means that Gollum wasn't the brightest and Bilbo was very cunning and sneeky to follow Gollum and finally leave the cave. I totally agree with choosing this conflict because of the details and suspense. Great Job Thomas!
~Nice response. ~Mrs. Best
Anthony Greco
Lizzy Schauer
March 4, 2011
Reading - 5
I choose the same character to character conflict. I thought this was a good example to move the story forward because if Bilbo was to not wander around, to become part of the riddle contest, win, find the way out, and have the magic ring on, he wouldn't even have a chance to find his friends. I found this conflict nerve-racking and action-packed. I like the way you worded it. It was not wordy, nor to short. I don't think Gollum will reappear in the story because he does not have the magic ring, and there are many guards at the secret door and entrance door, but I do agree that it was important that Bilbo learns what the ring does and how to use it.
Thomas DeGurie
March 5, 2011
Reading-8
In your own words, describe what happens next to Bilbo and the dwarves in the forest.
While the group is wandering through the forest, they stumble into a large open area amongst the trees. Shortly after arriving there, they hear wolves howling in the distance. At first they just think the wolves are howling at the moon, but then a large group of them begin to gather. The group quickly realizes that they are in trouble. The only thing they could do was to climb into the trees, but Bilbo was too small. One ofthe dwarves climbs down to help him up. The dwarf is able to get Bilbo up into the tree and scramble ~ I LOVE scramble! back into it himself just as one of the wolves lunges at them and misses by inches. Once they are in the trees, the wolves leave guards at each tree and the leader wolf begins talking to the others. Gandalf is able to understand him, and he hears him talking about a great attack that the wolves and the goblins are going to make on the humans who live in the forest. Gandalf decides to fight back so he takes a couple of pine cones off of the branches on his trees, sets them on fire with his magic, and begins to hurl them at the wolves. This was a very effective idea because the wolves fur was highly flammable and wolves are dreadfully LOVE THIS! afraid of fire. Before the group can escape though, an army of goblins enters the open area and gets the wolves under control again. Seeing the wolves on fire, they come up with a wicked scheme. They light a fire around the trees that the group is in. They make sure to control the fire so that it only spread inwards and not out towards them. While all of this is happening, the Lord of the Eagles is watching everything. Just as the fire reaches the trees in which the group is staying, a large number of eagles swoop down and save the dwarves, Bilbo, and Gandalf from the fire and carry them off to their liar lair out of the forest. I love your response. You have so much VOICE! Excellent job summarizing! ~ Mrs. Best